Veteran snapshot

Saturday

Back in 1946, Louis Scallon was born down in Lake Charles.The Scallon family moved to the Deridder area in 1952 and started a dairy farm about six miles out of town on the Oberlin Highway.

Scallon grew up on the dairy farm doing everything from running farm equipment to milking the cows.

He also raised and showed prize-winning calves at the Beauregard Parish Fair.

At DeRidder High School Louis was one of the most popular and best liked students.

He was President of the 4-H Club, Member of the Future Farmers of America, French Club and also a member of the Latin Club.

Scallon graduated from DeRidder High School in 1964 just when the Vietnam War was starting to peak.

At that time, the Selective Service was drafting ever available man into the US Army.

Since Scallon had grown up on a dairy farm and had both mechanics and electronics skills he decided to enlist in the United States Air Force.

He met with a USAF recruiter and after a series of test offered a school in the field of electronics.

Scallon was sent to Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio for basic training.

After graduating from basic training he was then sent on to the electronic school at Chanute Air Force Base In Illinois just as his recruiter had promised.

In the 1960s Chanute AFB became the prime training center for one of the most important missile programs in history, the LGM-30 Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Minuteman ICBM became a key missile deterrent against the Soviet Union for America and her western allies.

Beginning in the late 1960s Chanute also trained thousands of allied airmen including from Asia and the Middle East.

Scallon became proficient in the electronics - missile field and given a AGM 28-B rating and secret clearance.

From Chanute, Scallon was sent halfway around for his next duty station.

Instead of the cold winter weather of Illinois, Scallon was sent to the beautiful tropical country of Thailand.

During the Vietnam War, about 80% of all USAF air strikes over North Vietnam originated from air bases in Thailand.

At its peak in 1969, a greater number of Airmen were serving in Thailand than were serving in South Vietnam.

Airman Scallion was one of those.

Under Thailand's "gentleman's agreement" with the U.S., the bases were considered Royal Thai Air Force bases and were commanded by Thai officers.

Thai air police controlled access to the bases; U.S. air police who helped them did carry guns. Command of the American units, however, remained with U.S. wing commanders and their Seventh Air Force/Thirteenth Air Force headquarters.

Out of the Thai bases flew the most extraordinary air-combat team that had ever been assembled. From Udorn, just 40 minutes by air from Hanoi, flew supersonic, unarmed RF-101and RF-4C reconnaissance jets streaked over target areas immediately before and after a raid to photograph the damage so assessments of the attack could be made.

From Korat, Takhli and Ubon came the F-105 Thunderchiefs and F-4C and F-4D Phantoms that actually deliver the bombs. From U-Tapao airfield on the Gulf of Siam, the largest airfield in Southeast Asia, four-engine KC-135 refueling tankers took to the air and refueled the aircraft just before and after they hit North Vietnam.

From Takhli flew EB-66 electronic-warfare jets with special equipment that can detect the "fingerprints" of enemy radar in the sky and then send out a signal that fouls up the screen below.

Flying out of Takhli, F-105s armed with radar-guided Shrike missiles had the job of knocking out SAM sites.

As with many veterans, Scallon does not dwell on his duty assignments while in Thailand.

He just says he did what his job required and followed orders.

After his tour of duty was over Scallon was sent back to the USA and stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.

Here Scallon was stationed until his enlistment was over. He was given an honorable discharge and allowed to return home.

In 1968 Scallon got back to Deridder just in time to get in on the building and construction of the new paper mill.

He went to work for Brown and Root Construction Company(KBR).

After the construction was completed Scallon was hired by Boise Southern where he worked for the next 38 years until he retired.

Scallon hobbies have always been tied into motorcycling. In the past he has ridden tens of thousand miles on his Harley; now most of his travels are in his sports car.

Scallon is a member of American Legion Post 27 where he has served in many different capacities. He is also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knight of Columbus.

If you see Louis Scallon or any veteran, he would surely appreciate a handshake and acknowledgment of the sacrifice and the commitment veterans have made in the lofty endeavor of securing American liberty.

They are solely responsible for having protected our fortunate state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior or political views; and that is a priceless act of service.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.